Definition

Listeriosis is an infection caused by a gram stain-positive motile bacterium named Listeria monocytogenes. The foodborne illness produces fever, muscle aches, and, in many people, diarrhea. Severe infections can cause headaches, meningitis, convulsions, and death. Most healthy people exposed to the bacteria have minor or no symptoms, but a few people, especially the elderly, pregnant females and their fetus, newborns, and anyone with a compromised immune system are especially susceptible to these organisms. Listeria bacteria are widespread throughout the world and are often associated with farm animals that may show no signs of infection. Research shows that many animals are uninfected carriers, and they suggest that some humans carry these organisms as part of their bowel flora. Except for pregnant women and their fetus or newborn, there is no direct transfer of Listeria from human to human.

Where is listeria found?

Listeria bacteria have been found in a range of chilled “ready-to-eat” foods, including:

Pre-packed sandwiches

Pate

Butter

Soft cheeses – such as Brie or Camembert, or others with a similar rind

Soft blue cheese

Cooked sliced meats

Smoked salmon

The bacteria may also be passed on through contact with the stools of infected animals or human carriers.

Epidemiology

The estimated annual incidence of listeriosis is approximately 4 cases per million population in Canada. Surveillance of listeria infections in Europe reported an incidence varying between 0.3 (Greece) and 7.5 (Sweden) cases per year. After years of decreasing incidence, recent trends throughout Europe, in particular France and Scandinavia, show an increasing incidence.This trend is accounted for by increased cases in the population older than 60 years. Neonatal and maternal incidence remains stable.

Risk factors

Listeriosis is a disease that rarely affects healthy individuals. However, several risk factors do exist for acquiring and developing listeriosis.

Causes

L. monocytogene causes listeria infection which is found in soil and water.

Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil or from manure used as fertilizer.

Animals can carry the bacteria and can contaminate meats and dairy products.

Processed foods, such as soft cheeses and cold cuts, can be contaminated after processing.

Unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk can be contaminated.

Listeria monocytogenes

Successive steps of human listeriosis

Symptoms

Listeriosis can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the person and the part of the body affected. Listeria can cause fever and diarrhea similar to other foodborne germs, but this type of Listeria infection is rarely diagnosed. Symptoms in people with invasive listeriosis, meaning the bacteria has spread beyond the gut, depend on whether the person is pregnant. .

Pregnant women: Pregnant women typically experience only fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

People other than pregnant women: Symptoms can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle aches.

People with invasive listeriosis usually report symptoms starting 1 to 4 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria; some people have reported symptoms starting as late as 70 days after exposure or as early as the same day of exposure.

Complications

Most listeria infections are so mild they may go unnoticed. However, in some cases, a listeria infection can lead to life-threatening complications — including:

A generalized blood infection (septicaemia)

Inflammation of the membranes and fluid surrounding the brain (meningitis)

Complications of a listeria infection may be most severe for an unborn baby. Early in pregnancy, a listeria infection may lead to miscarriage. Later in pregnancy, a listeria infection may lead to stillbirth, premature birth or a potentially fatal infection in the baby after birth even if the mother becomes only mildly ill. Infants who survive a listeria infection may experience long-term neurological damage and delayed development. Adults over 60 can also be seriously affected by a listeria infection, and death rates may be as high as 10 to 20 percent for this age group.

Diagnosis and test

Listeriosis is diagnosed based on a medical history and physical exam. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, foods you have recently eaten, and your work and home environments. A blood test or spinal fluid test may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment and medications

Treatment of listeria infection varies, depending on the severity of the signs and symptoms. Most people with mild symptoms require no treatment. More-serious infections can be treated with antibiotics.

During pregnancy, prompt antibiotic treatment may help keep the infection from affecting the baby. Newborns who have a listeria infection may receive a combination of antibiotics.